Absorbent article and absorbent core forming channels when wet

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article for personal hygiene comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, an absorbent core and a fibrous layer. The absorbent core comprises a core wrap and an absorbent material with superabsorbent polymers. The core wrap comprises a top side and a bottom side bonded to one other through one or more areas substantially free of absorbent material. The fibrous layer is at least partially bonded to one of the sides of the core wrap in the area substantially free of absorbent material. When the absorbent material swells, the core wrap forms one or more channels along the area substantially free of absorbent material. The formation of the channel in the absorbent core causes the formation of one or more corresponding ditches in the fibrous layer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an absorbent article for personal hygiene such as but not limited to a baby diaper, a training pant, a feminine hygiene sanitary pad or an adult incontinence product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Absorbent articles for personal hygiene, such as disposable baby diapers, training pants for toddlers or adult incontinence undergarments, are designed to absorb and contain body exudates, in particular large quantity of urine. These absorbent articles comprise several layers providing different functions, for example a topsheet, a backsheet and in-between an absorbent core, among other layers.

The function of the absorbent core is usually to absorb and retain the exudates for a prolonged amount of time, minimize re-wet to keep the wearer dry and avoid soiling of clothes or bed sheets. The majority of currently marketed absorbent articles comprise as absorbent material a blend of comminuted wood pulp with superabsorbent polymers (SAP) in particulate form, also called absorbent gelling materials (AGM), see for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 (Buell). Absorbent articles having a core consisting essentially of SAP as absorbent material (so called “airfelt-free” cores) have also been proposed (see e.g. WO2008/155699 (Hundorf), WO95/11652 (Tanzer), WO2012/052172 (Van Malderen)). Absorbent cores with slits or grooves have also been proposed, typically to increase the fluid acquisition properties of the core or to act as a folding guide. WO2009/047596 (Wright) discloses an absorbent article with a slit absorbent core.

US2004/220541 (Suzuki) discloses an absorbent sheet having concave and convex portions on its surface and spontaneously exhibiting a three-dimensional structure in that a concave-convex structure is formed. US2007/244455 (Hansson) discloses an absorbent core in an absorbent article provided with at least two folding guides extending in a substantially longitudinal direction in the crotch region and dividing at least a part of the crotch region of the absorbent core in a central portion and two lateral portions as seen in a transverse direction. At least two stretchable crotch elastic members are arranged in the crotch portion of the article and are attached to the absorbent core and/or to the inner or outer cover.

It is also known to provide a sub-layer, typically a nonwoven, between the topsheet and the absorbent core. These sub-layers are designed to quickly acquire and/or distribute the fluid away from the topsheet and into the core. These sub-layers are sometimes called “wicking layer”, “surge layer”, “acquisition layer” or “distribution layer”. Articles having only one of these sub-layers are known. A single sub-layer is disclosed for example in WO94/23761 (Payne), which discloses an acquisition layer comprising an homogeneous composition of hydrophilic fibrous material and a storage layer comprising a mixture of hydrophilic fibrous material and discrete particles of absorbent gelling material. The acquisition layer has an acquisition zone towards the front of the article of relatively lower average density and relatively lower average basis weight than a distribution zone towards the back of the article. Another example of sub-layer having a single layer can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,166 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,846 (Bishop).

US2008/0312621 and US2008/0312622 (Hundorf) describe a disposable absorbent article comprising a chassis including a topsheet and a backsheet, a substantially cellulose free absorbent core located between the topsheet and the backsheet and having a wearer facing side oriented toward a wearer when the article is being worn and an opposed garment facing side, and a “liquid acquisition system” comprising chemically cross-linked cellulosic fibers disposed between the liquid permeable topsheet and the wearer facing side of the absorbent core. The liquid acquisition system may also comprise an upper acquisition layer made of a latex bonded nonwoven.

WO2012/170778 (Rosati et al., see also WO2012/170779, WO2012/170781 and WO2012/170808) discloses absorbent structures that comprise superabsorbent polymer, optionally a cellulosic material, and at least a pair of substantially longitudinally extending channels. The core wrap can be adhesively bonded through the channels to form a channel bond. The channel bonds may be permanent, so that their integrity is at least partially maintained both in dry and wet state. As the absorbent structure absorbs liquid and swells, the absorbent structure takes a three-dimensional shape with the channels becoming visible. The channels provide improved fit and/or liquid acquisition/transportation, and/or improved performance throughout the use of the absorbent structure.

In a first aspect of the invention, the inventors have now found that the formation of three-dimensional channels in a wet absorbent core can help forming three-dimensional ditches in a fibrous structure placed between the topsheet and the topside of the absorbent core. The fibrous structure may for example be an acquisition and/or a distribution layer. The ditches in the fibrous layer can provide advantages in term of fluid acquisition and distribution. In a second aspect, the invention is for an absorbent core that can be used in the article of the invention and that comprises a core wrap bond that gradually open as the absorbent core swells to provide additional swelling space for the swollen absorbent material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in a first aspect for an absorbent article for personal hygiene as indicated in the claims. The absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet and an absorbent core between the topsheet and backsheet. The absorbent core comprises a core wrap enclosing an absorbent material and comprising a top side and a bottom side. The absorbent material comprises a superabsorbent polymer. The absorbent core comprises one or more area(s) substantially free of absorbent material. The top side of the core wrap is attached to the bottom side of the core wrap through the one or more area(s) substantially free of absorbent material, so that when the absorbent material swells the core wrap forms one or more channel(s) which can serve to distribute an insulting fluid along the length of the channel. The absorbent article further comprises a fibrous layer at least partially bonded to the top side or the bottom side of the core wrap in the one or more area(s) substantially free of absorbent material. The formation of the channels in the absorbent core as the absorbent material swells causes the formation of one or more corresponding ditches in the fibrous layer.

In a second aspect, the invention is for an absorbent core as described above and that can be used in any absorbent article. The core wrap bond between the top side and the bottom side of the core wrap opens in a controlled manner during use, so that when the absorbent core is immersed in a saline solution at 0.9% by weight at 37° C. according to the Channel Delamination Dunk Test described herein:

-   -   less than one third of the core wrap bond's initial length         delaminates at 10 min;     -   from one third to two thirds of the core wrap bond's initial         length delaminates at 20 min;     -   at least two thirds of the core wrap bond's initial length         delaminates at 60 min.

The first and second aspect of the invention may be used independently of each or may be combined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention in the form of a diaper before use with some layers partially removed;

FIG. 2 is a transversal cross-section of the embodiment of FIG. 1 at the crotch point (C);

FIG. 3 is a transversal cross-section of the embodiment of FIG. 1 taken at the same point as FIG. 2 where channels and ditches have formed as a result the diaper being loaded with fluid;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the absorbent core of FIG. 1 with the top side layer partially removed;

FIG. 5 is a transversal cross-section of the core of FIG. 4 at the crotch point;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-section of the absorbent core of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a simplified top view of an embodiment showing a bonding area between the core wrap and the fibrous layer covering substantially the whole of the bottom surface of the fibrous layer;

FIG. 8 shows an alternative bonding area comprising two longitudinally extending areas with a non bonded zone in the central region of the fibrous layer;

FIG. 9 shows an alternative wherein the fibrous layer is bonded to the core wrap in an area substantially corresponding to the areas substantially free of absorbent material;

FIG. 10 shows an alternative wherein the area of bonding of the fibrous layer is smaller than the fibrous layer;

FIG. 11 shows an alternative area of bonding wherein the fibrous layer is bonded to the core wrap along transversal stripes;

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment as in FIG. 7 showing additionally a possible application pattern for an adhesive attaching the topsheet to an underlying layer;

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment as in FIG. 8 further showing an alternative application pattern for an adhesive to the topsheet to the underlying layer;

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-section of an exemplary article in a dry state comprising an acquisition layer in addition to the fibrous layer;

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-section corresponding to FIG. 14 when the article is wet and channels have formed in the core and ditches in the other layers of the absorbent article.

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-section corresponding to the previous FIGS. 14-15 where the core wrap bonds have delaminated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Introduction

As used herein, the term “absorbent article for personal hygiene” refers to disposable devices such as baby diapers, infant training pants, adult incontinence products or feminine hygiene sanitary pads, and the like which are placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain exudates discharged from the body. The absorbent articles of the invention will be further illustrated in the below description and in the Figures in the form of a taped diaper. Nothing in this description should be however considered limiting the scope of the claims unless explicitly indicated otherwise.

A “nonwoven web” as used herein means a manufactured sheet, web or batt of directionally or randomly orientated fibers, bonded by friction, and/or cohesion and/or adhesion, excluding paper and products which are woven, knitted, tufted, stitch-bonded incorporating binding yarns or filaments, or felted by wet-milling, whether or not additionally needled. The fibers may be of natural or man-made origin and may be staple or continuous filaments or be formed in situ. Commercially available fibers have diameters ranging from less than about 0.001 mm to more than about 0.2 mm and they come in several different forms such as short fibers (known as staple, or chopped), continuous single fibers (filaments or monofilaments), untwisted bundles of continuous filaments (tow), and twisted bundles of continuous filaments (yarn). Nonwoven webs can be formed by many processes such as meltblowing, spunbonding, solvent spinning, electrospinning, carding and airlaying. The basis weight of nonwoven webs is usually expressed in grams per square meter (g/m² or gsm).

The term “joined” or “bonded” or “attached”, as used herein, encompasses configurations whereby an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element, and configurations whereby an element is indirectly secured to another element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element.

“Comprise,” “comprising,” and “comprises” are open ended terms, each specifies the presence of what follows, e.g., a component, but does not preclude the presence of other features, e.g., elements, steps, components known in the art, or disclosed herein. These terms based on the verb “comprise” should be read as encompassing the narrower terms “consisting of” which excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified and “consisting essentially of” which limits the scope of an element to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the way the element performs its function. Any preferred or exemplary embodiments described below are not limiting the scope of the claims, unless specifically indicated to do so. The words “typically”, “normally”, “advantageously” and the likes also qualify elements which are not intended to limit the scope of the claims unless specifically indicated to do so.

General Description of the Absorbent Article

An exemplary absorbent article according to the invention in the form of a baby diaper 20 is represented in FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the exemplary diaper 20, in a flattened state, with portions of the structure being cut-away to more clearly show the construction of the diaper 20. This diaper 20 is shown for illustration purpose only as the invention may be used for making a wide variety of diapers or other absorbent articles.

The absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet 24, a liquid impermeable backsheet 25, an absorbent core 28 between the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 25, and a fibrous layer 54.

FIG. 1 also shows other typical taped diaper components such as a fastening system comprising adhesive tabs 42 attached towards the back edge of the article and cooperating with a landing zone 44 on the front of the article, barrier leg cuffs 34 and elasticized gasketing cuffs 32 joined to the chassis of the absorbent article, typically via the topsheet and/or backsheet, and substantially planar with the chassis of the diaper. The absorbent article may also comprise other typical elements, which are not represented, such as a back elastic waist feature, a front elastic waist feature, transverse barrier cuff(s), a lotion application, etc. . . .

The absorbent article 20 comprises a front edge 10, a back edge 12, and two side (longitudinal edges) 13, 14. The front edge 10 of the article is the edge which is intended to be placed towards the front of the user when worn, and the back edge 12 is the opposite edge of the article. The absorbent article may be notionally divided by a longitudinal axis 80 extending from the front edge to the back edge of the article and dividing the article in two substantially symmetrical halves relative to this axis, with article placed flat and viewed from above as in FIG. 1. The length L of the article can be measured along the longitudinal axis 80 from front edge 10 to back edge 12. The article comprises a crotch point C defined herein as the point placed on the longitudinal axis at a distance of two fifth (⅖) of L starting from the front edge 10 of the article 20. The width of the article for a diaper application at the crotch point may in particular be of from 50 mm to 300 mm, or from 80 mm to 250 mm. For adult incontinence products the width may go up to 450 mm.

The crotch region can be defined as the region of the diaper longitudinally centered at the crotch point C and extending towards the front and towards the back of the absorbent article by a distance of one fifth of L (L/5) in each direction. A front region and a back region can be defined as the remaining portions of the diapers placed respectively towards the front and the back edges of the article.

The topsheet 24, the backsheet 25, the absorbent core 28 and the other article components may be assembled in a variety of well known configurations, in particular by gluing or heat embossing. Exemplary diaper configurations are described generally in U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003, U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274, U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,145, U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,234, U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,411, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,306. The absorbent article is preferably thin. The caliper at the crotch point C of the article may be for example from 3.0 mm to 12.0 mm, in particular from 4.0 mm to 10.0 mm, as measured with the Absorbent Article Caliper Test described herein.

The exemplary absorbent core 28, represented in isolation on FIG. 4, comprises an absorbent material and a core wrap enclosing the absorbent material. The core wrap may typically comprise two substrates 16 and 16′ for the top side and bottom side of the core respectively. The absorbent core further comprises one or more area(s) substantially free of absorbent material 26 surrounded (in the plane formed by the absorbent core) by absorbent material. The top side of the core wrap is attached to the bottom side of the core wrap through the one or more area(s) substantially free of absorbent material 26 by one or more core wrap bond(s) 27, so that when the absorbent material swells, the absorbent core forms one or more channel(s) 26′ in the area(s) 26 along the core wrap bond 27. These channels can serve to distribute an insulting fluid along the length of the channel.

The absorbent article further comprises a fibrous layer 54 between the topsheet and the absorbent core. The fibrous layer is at least partially bonded to the top side of the core wrap in the area(s) 26 substantially free of absorbent material. The bonding of the fibrous layer in the top side of the core wrap in the area(s) 26 substantially free of absorbent material causes the formation of one or more corresponding ditches 29 in the fibrous layer, as schematically represented in FIG. 3 and FIGS. 14-15. These and other components of the articles will now be discussed in more details.

Topsheet 24

The topsheet 24 is the part of the absorbent article that is directly in contact with the wearer's skin. The topsheet 24 can be joined to the backsheet 25, the core 28 and/or any other layers as is known in the art. Usually, the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 25 may be joined directly to each other on or close to the periphery of the article and are indirectly joined together in other locations by directly joining them to one or more other elements of the article 20. The topsheet may be attached to an underlying layer, which may be the fibrous layer 54 or another layer such as an acquisition layer 52, by any conventional means, in particular gluing, mechanical or heat bonding and combinations thereof. The topsheet may in particular be attached directly or indirectly to the fibrous layer 54 in the area where the ditches of the fibrous layer are formed, as exemplarily shown in FIGS. 3 and 14. This may provide or help the formation of secondary ditches at the surface of the article.

The topsheet 24 is preferably compliant, soft-feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, at least a portion of the topsheet 24 is liquid permeable, permitting liquids to readily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable topsheet may be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as porous foams, reticulated foams, apertured plastic films, or woven or nonwoven materials of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers or filaments (e.g., polyester or polypropylene or bicomponent PE/PP fibers or mixtures thereof), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. If the topsheet includes fibers, the fibers may be spunbond, carded, wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, or otherwise processed as is known in the art, in particular spunbond PP nonwoven. A suitable topsheet comprising a web of staple-length polypropylene fibers is manufactured by Veratec, Inc., a Division of International Paper Company, of Walpole, Mass. under the designation P-8.

Suitable formed film topsheets are also described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,135, U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,246, U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,314, U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,045, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,394. Other suitable topsheets may be made in accordance with U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,609,518 and 4,629,643 issued to Curro et al. Such formed films are available from The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio as “DRI-WEAVE” and from Tredegar Corporation, based in Richmond, Va., as “CLIFF-T”.

Any portion of the topsheet 24 may be coated with a lotion as is known in the art. Examples of suitable lotions include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,760, U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,587, U.S. Pat. No. 5,635, U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,588, U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,025 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,716,441. The topsheet 24 may also include or be treated with antibacterial agents, some examples of which are disclosed in PCT Publication WO95/24173. Further, the topsheet 24, the backsheet 25 or any portion of the topsheet or backsheet may be embossed and/or matte finished to provide a more cloth like appearance.

The topsheet 24 may comprise one or more apertures to ease penetration of exudates therethrough, such as urine and/or feces (solid, semi-solid, or liquid). The size of at least the primary aperture is important in achieving the desired waste encapsulation performance. If the primary aperture is too small, the waste may not pass through the aperture, either due to poor alignment of the waste source and the aperture location or due to fecal masses having a diameter greater than the aperture. If the aperture is too large, the area of skin that may be contaminated by “rewet” from the article is increased. Typically, the total area of the apertures at the surface of a diaper may have an area of between about 10 cm² and about 50 cm², in particular between about 15 cm² and 35 cm². Examples of apertured topsheet are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,504, assigned to BBA NONWOVENS SIMPSONVILLE. WO2011/163582 also discloses suitable colored topsheet having a basis weight of from 12 to 18 gsm and comprising a plurality of bonded points. Each of the bonded points has a surface area of from 2 mm² to 5 mm² and the cumulated surface area of the plurality of bonded points is from 10 to 25% of the total surface area of the topsheet.

Typical diaper topsheets have a basis weight of from about 10 to about 28 gsm, in particular between from about 12 to about 18 gsm but other basis weights are possible.

Backsheet 25

The backsheet 25 is generally that portion of the absorbent article 20 which forms the majority of the external surface of the article when worn by the user. The backsheet is positioned towards the bottom side of the absorbent core and prevents the exudates absorbed and contained therein from soiling articles such as bedsheets and undergarments. The backsheet 25 is typically impermeable to liquids (e.g. urine). The backsheet may for example be or comprise a thin plastic film such as a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. Exemplary backsheet films include those manufactured by Tredegar Corporation, based in Richmond, Va., and sold under the trade name CPC2 film. Other suitable backsheet materials may include breathable materials which permit vapors to escape from the diaper 20 while still preventing exudates from passing through the backsheet 25. Exemplary breathable materials may include materials such as woven webs, nonwoven webs, composite materials such as film-coated nonwoven webs, microporous films such as manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Co., of Japan under the designation ESPOIR NO and by Tredegar Corporation of Richmond, Va., and sold under the designation EXAIRE, and monolithic films such as manufactured by Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio under the name HYTREL blend P18-3097. Some breathable composite materials are described in greater detail in PCT Application No. WO 95/16746 published on Jun. 22, 1995 in the name of E. I. DuPont; U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,648 to LaVon et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,793 to Linman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,823 to Curro; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,096 to Dobrin et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,946,585B2 to London Brown.

The backsheet 25 may be joined to the topsheet 24, the absorbent core 28 or any other element of the diaper 20 by any attachment means known in the art. Suitable attachment means are described above with respect to means for joining the topsheet 24 to other elements of the article 20. For example, the attachment means may include a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive. Suitable attachment means comprises an open pattern network of filaments of adhesive as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986. Other suitable attachment means include several lines of adhesive filaments which are swirled into a spiral pattern, as is illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,173, U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,996; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,666. Adhesives which have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn. and marketed as HL-1620 and HL 1358-XZP. Alternatively, the attachment means may comprise heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment means or combinations of these attachment means as are known in the art.

Absorbent Core 28

The absorbent core is typically the component of the article having the most absorbent capacity. The absorbent core comprises a core wrap, an absorbent material and optionally an adhesive enclosed within the core wrap. The absorbent material comprise a superabsorbent polymer (herein abbreviated as “SAP”), in particular the absorbent material of the invention may comprise absorbent material with a high amount of superabsorbent polymers enclosed within the core wrap. The SAP content may represent at least 40% or more (in particular at least 60%, or at least 80%) by weight of the absorbent material contained in the core wrap. The absorbent core may be airfelt free. The core wrap is not considered as absorbent material for the purpose of assessing the percentage of SAP in the absorbent core.

By “absorbent material” it is meant a material which has some absorbency property or liquid retaining properties, such as SAP, cellulosic fibers as well as synthetic fibers. Typically, glues used in making absorbent cores have no absorbency properties and are not considered as absorbent material. The SAP content may be higher than 80%, for example at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% and even up to and including 100% of the weight of the absorbent material contained within the core wrap. This provides a relatively thin core compared to conventional core typically comprising between 40-60% SAP and high content of cellulose fibers. The absorbent material may in particular comprises less than 10% weight percent of natural or synthetic fibers, or less than 5% weight percent, or even be substantially free of natural and/or synthetic fibers. The absorbent material may advantageously comprise little or no airfelt (cellulose) fibers, in particular the absorbent core may comprise less than 15%, 10%, 5% airfelt (cellulose) fibers by weight of the absorbent core, or even be substantially free of cellulose fibers.

Cores comprising relatively high amount of SAP with various core designs have been proposed in the past, see for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,335 (Goldman), EP1,447,066 (Busam), WO95/11652 (Tanzer), US2008/0312622A1 (Hundorf), WO2012/052172 (Van Malderen) and WO2012/170778 (Rosati et al., see also WO2012/170779, WO2012/170781 and WO2012/1708008). The absorbent core may be thin, for example having a thickness not exceeding 5 mm, e.g. from 1 to 4 mm, as measured with the Dry Absorbent Core Caliper Test disclosed therein.

The absorbent core 28 of the absorbent article of FIG. 1 is shown in isolation in FIGS. 4-6. The absorbent core shown and its description is purely for exemplary purpose and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims. The absorbent core typically comprises a front side 280, a back side 282 and two longitudinal sides 284, 286 joining the front side 280 and the back side 282. The absorbent core also comprises a generally planar top side and a generally planar bottom side formed by the core wrap. The front side 280 of the core is the side of the core placed towards the front edge 10 of the absorbent article. The core may have a longitudinal axis 80′ corresponding substantially to the longitudinal axis of the article 80, as seen from the top in a planar view as in FIG. 1. Typically the absorbent material will be advantageously distributed in higher amount towards the front side than towards the back side as more absorbency is required at the front. Typically the front and back sides of the core are shorter than the longitudinal sides of the core. The core wrap may be formed by two nonwoven material 16, 16′ which may be at least partially sealed along the sides of the absorbent core. The first nonwoven may substantially form the whole of the top side of the core wrap and the second nonwoven substantially the whole of the bottom side (16′) of the core wrap. The top side and first nonwoven are represented by the same number 16 on the drawings, the bottom side of the second nonwoven by number 16′. The core wrap may be at least partially sealed along its front side, back side and/or two longitudinal sides to improve the containment of the absorbent material during use.

The absorbent core of the invention may further comprise at least one adhesive, in particular to help immobilizing the SAP within the core wrap, to ensure integrity of the core wrap and/or to attach the bottom side of the core wrap to the top side of the core wrap through the one or more area(s) substantially free of absorbent material. A first type of glue that can be used is the so-called auxiliary glue (not represented in the drawing) which can be applied on the inner surface of the top side and/or the bottom side of the core wrap. The auxiliary glue may be any conventional glue used in the field, in particular hotmelt glue. Example of glues are based on an adhesive polymer such SIS (Styrene-Isoprene-Block Co-Polymer), SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Block Co-polymer) or mPO (metalocine Polyolefine). The glue may also comprise a tackifier such as a hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin, as well as an oil and an antioxidant. Hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins are made from mixed aromatic/aliphatic resins which are subsequently selectively hydrogenated to produce a wide range of materials with low color, high stability and broad compatibility. Examples of commercially available adhesives are available as HL1358LO and NW1286 (both from HB Fuller) and DM 526 (from Henkel).

The auxiliary glue may be applied on the top side and/or the bottom side of the core wrap in an average amount ranging from 2 gsm to 20 gsm, more particularly from 4 gsm to 10 gsm. The auxiliary glue may be uniformly applied, or discontinuously, in particular as a series of stripes regularly spaced and longitudinally oriented, for example a series of auxiliary glue stripes of about 1 mm width spaced from each other by a distance raging from 1 mm to 3 mm. The area of application of the auxiliary glue on the inner surface of the top side and/or bottom side of the core wrap corresponds to the whole deposition area 8 of the absorbent material. The auxiliary glue may help forming the core wrap bond 27 if sufficient pressure is applied within the material free area 26 to attach both sides of the core wrap. The auxiliary glue layer may be applied to the inner surface of the bottom side, the inner surface of the top side, or both inner surfaces of the core wrap.

Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP)

“Superabsorbent polymers” (“SAP”) as used herein refer to absorbent material which are cross-linked polymeric materials that can absorb at least 10 times their weight of an aqueous 0.9% saline solution as measured using the Centrifuge Retention Capacity (CRC) test (EDANA method WSP 241.2-05E). The SAP used may in particular have a CRC value of more than 20 g/g, or more than 24 g/g, or of from 20 to 50 g/g, or from 20 to 40 g/g, or from 24 to 30 g/g. The SAP useful in the present invention include a variety of water-insoluble, but water-swellable polymers capable of absorbing large quantities of fluids.

The superabsorbent polymer can be in particulate form so as to be flowable in the dry state. Typical particulate absorbent polymer materials are made of poly(meth)acrylic acid polymers. However, e.g. starch-based particulate absorbent polymer material may also be used, as well polyacrylamide copolymer, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer, cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, cross-linked polyethylene oxide, and starch grafted copolymer of polyacrylonitrile. The superabsorbent polymer may be polyacrylates and polyacrylic acid polymers that are internally and/or surface cross-linked. Suitable materials are described in the PCT Patent Application WO07/047,598 or for example WO07/046,052 or for example WO2009/155265 and WO2009/155264. In some embodiments, suitable superabsorbent polymer particles may be obtained by current state of the art production processes as is more particularly as described in WO2006/083584. The superabsorbent polymers are preferably internally cross-linked, i.e. the polymerization is carried out in the presence of compounds having two or more polymerizable groups which can be free-radically copolymerized into the polymer network. Useful crosslinkers include for example ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, allyl methacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, triallylamine, tetraallyloxyethane as described in EP530,438, di- and triacrylates as described in EP547,847, EP559,476, EP632,068, WO 93/21237, WO03/104299, WO03/104300, WO03/104301 and in DE103 31 450, mixed acrylates which, as well as acrylate groups, include further ethylenically unsaturated groups, as described in DE 103 31 456 and DE 103 55 401, or crosslinker mixtures as described for example in DE 195 43 368, DE 196 46 484, WO90/15830 and WO02/32962 as well as cross-linkers described in WO2009/155265. The superabsorbent polymer particles may be externally surface cross-linked, or: post cross-linked). Useful post-crosslinkers include compounds including two or more groups capable of forming covalent bonds with the carboxylate groups of the polymers. Useful compounds include for example alkoxysilyl compounds, polyaziridines, polyamines, polyamidoamines, di- or polyglycidyl compounds as described in EP083,022, EP543,303 and EP937,736, polyhydric alcohols as described in DE-C 33 14 019, cyclic carbonates as described in DE-A 40 20 780, 2-oxazolidone and its derivatives, such as N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-oxazolidone as described in DE-A 198 07 502, bis- and poly-2-oxazolidones as described in DE-A 198 07 992, 2-oxotetrahydro-1,3-oxazine and its derivatives as described in DE-A 198 54 573, N-acyl-2-oxazolidones as described in DE-A 198 54 574, cyclic ureas as described in DE-A 102 04 937, bicyclic amide acetals as described in DE-A 103 34 584, oxetane and cyclic ureas as described in EP1,199,327 and morpholine-2,3-dione and its derivatives as described in WO03/031482.

The SAP may be formed from polyacrylic acid/polyacrylate polymers, for example having a neutralization degree of from 60% to 90%, or about 75%, having for example sodium counter ions. Suitable SAP may also for example be obtained from inverse phase suspension polymerizations as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,706 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,816 or from spray- or other gas-phase dispersion polymerizations as described in US2009/0192035, US2009/0258994 and US2010/0068520. In some embodiments, suitable SAP may be obtained by current state of the art production processes as is more particularly described from page 12, line 23 to page 20, line 27 of WO2006/083584.

The absorbent core will typically comprise only one type of SAP, but it is not excluded that a blend of SAPs may be used. The fluid permeability of a superabsorbent polymer can be quantified using its Urine Permeability Measurement (UPM) value, as measured in the test disclosed European patent application number EP12174117.7. The UPM of the SAP may for example be of at least 10×10⁻⁷ cm³·sec/g, or at least 30×10⁻⁷ cm³·sec/g, or at least 50×10⁻⁷ cm³·sec/g, or more, e.g. at least 80 or 100×10⁻⁷ cm³·sec/g. The flow characteristics can also be adjusted by varying the quantity and distribution of the SAP used in the absorbent core.

For most absorbent articles, the liquid discharge occurs predominately in the front half of the article, in particular for diaper. The front half of the article (as defined by the region between the front edge and a transversal line placed at a distance of half L from the front or back edge may therefore comprise most of the absorbent capacity of the core. Thus, at least 60% of the SAP, or at least 65%, 70%, 75% or 80% of the SAP may be present in the front half of the absorbent article, the remaining SAP being disposed in the back half of the absorbent article.

The total amount of SAP present in the absorbent core may also vary according to expected user. Diapers for newborns may require less SAP than infant or adult incontinence diapers. The amount of SAP in the core may be for example comprised from about 5 to 60 g, in particular from 5 to 50 g. The average SAP basis weight within the (or “at least one”, if several are present) deposition area 8 of the SAP may be for example of at least 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 or more g/m². The material free areas 26 present in the absorbent material deposition area 8 are deduced from the absorbent material deposition area to calculate this average basis weight.

Absorbent Material 60

The absorbent material may be a continuous layer within the core wrap which may be for example obtained by the application of a single continuous layer of absorbent material. The absorbent material may also be comprised of individual pockets or stripes of absorbent material enclosed within the core wrap. The continuous layer of absorbent material, in particular of SAP, may also be obtained by combining two absorbent layers having discontinuous absorbent material application pattern wherein the resulting layer is substantially continuously distributed across the absorbent particulate polymer material area, as taught in US2008/0312622A1 (Hundorf) for example. As exemplary shown in FIGS. 4-6, the absorbent core 28 may thus comprise a first absorbent layer and a second absorbent layer, the first absorbent layer comprising a first substrate 16 and a first layer 61 of absorbent material, which may be 100% SAP, and the second absorbent layer comprising a second substrate 16′ and a second layer 62 of absorbent material, which may also be 100% SAP. The first and second SAP layers may be applied as transversal stripes or “land areas” having the same width as the desired absorbent material deposition area on their respective substrate before being combined. The stripes may advantageously comprise different amount of absorbent material (SAP) to provide a profiled basis weight along the longitudinal axis of the core 80′. The first substrate 16 and the second substrate 16′ may form the core wrap.

Fibrous Thermoplastic Adhesive Material 51

The absorbent core may also comprise a fibrous thermoplastic adhesive material 51, in particular a microfiber glue, to further immobilize the absorbent material within the core. The fibrous thermoplastic adhesive material 51 may at least partially bond each layer of absorbent material 61, 62 to its respective substrate. The fibrous thermoplastic adhesive material 51 may be at least partially in contact with the absorbent material 61, 62 in the land areas and at least partially in contact with the substrate layer in the junction areas. This imparts an essentially three-dimensional structure to the fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material 51, which in itself is essentially a two-dimensional structure of relatively small thickness, as compared to the dimension in length and width directions. Thereby, the fibrous thermoplastic adhesive material may provide cavities to cover the absorbent material in the land area, and thereby immobilizes this absorbent material, which may be 100% SAP.

The thermoplastic polymer may typically have a molecular weight (Mw) of more than 10,000 and a glass transition temperature (Tg) usually below room temperature or −6° C.<Tg<16° C. Typical concentrations of the polymer in a hotmelt are in the range of about 20 to about 40% by weight. The thermoplastic polymers may be water insensitive. Exemplary polymers are (styrenic) block copolymers including A-B-A triblock structures, A-B diblock structures and (A-B)_(n) radial block copolymer structures wherein the A blocks are non-elastomeric polymer blocks, typically comprising polystyrene, and the B blocks are unsaturated conjugated diene or (partly) hydrogenated versions of such. The B block is typically isoprene, butadiene, ethylene/butylene (hydrogenated butadiene), ethylene/propylene (hydrogenated isoprene), and mixtures thereof. Other suitable thermoplastic polymers that may be employed are metallocene polyolefins, which are ethylene polymers prepared using single-site or metallocene catalysts. Therein, at least one comonomer can be polymerized with ethylene to make a copolymer, terpolymer or higher order polymer. Also applicable are amorphous polyolefins or amorphous polyalphaolefins (APAO) which are homopolymers, copolymers or terpolymers of C2 to C8 alpha olefins.

The tackifying resin may exemplarily have a Mw below 5,000 and a Tg usually above room temperature, typical concentrations of the resin in a hotmelt are in the range of about 30 to about 60%, and the plasticizer has a low Mw of typically less than 1,000 and a Tg below room temperature, with a typical concentration of about 0 to about 15%.

The thermoplastic adhesive used for the fibrous layer preferably has elastomeric properties, such that the web formed by the fibers on the SAP layer is able to be stretched as the SAP swell. Exemplary elastomeric, hotmelt adhesives include thermoplastic elastomers such as ethylene vinyl acetates, polyurethanes, polyolefin blends of a hard component (generally a crystalline polyolefin such as polypropylene or polyethylene) and a Soft component (such as ethylene-propylene rubber); copolyesters such as poly (ethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene azelate); and thermoplastic elastomeric block copolymers having thermoplastic end blocks and rubbery mid blocks designated as A-B-A block copolymers: mixtures of structurally different homopolymers or copolymers, e.g., a mixture of polyethylene or polystyrene with an A-B-A block copolymer; mixtures of a thermoplastic elastomer and a low molecular weight resin modifier, e.g., a mixture of a styrene-isoprenestyrene block copolymer with polystyrene; and the elastomeric, hot-melt, pressure-sensitive adhesives described herein. Elastomeric, hot-melt adhesives of these types are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,066 (Korpman).

The thermoplastic adhesive material 51 fibers may exemplarily have an average thickness of about 1 to about 50 micrometers or about 1 to about 35 micrometers and an average length of about 5 mm to about 50 mm or about 5 mm to about 30 mm. To improve the adhesion of the thermoplastic adhesive material to the substrate or to any other layer, in particular any other nonwoven layer, such layers may be pre-treated with an auxiliary adhesive. The fibers adhere to each other to form a fibrous layer, which can also be described as a mesh.

The absorbent core advantageously achieve an SAP loss of no more than about 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10% according to the Wet Immobilization Test described in US2010/0051166A1.

Absorbent Material Deposition Area 8

The absorbent material deposition area 8 can be defined by the periphery of the layer formed by the absorbent material 60 within the core wrap, as seen from the top side of the absorbent core. The absorbent material deposition area 8 can be generally rectangular, for example as shown in FIG. 4, but other shapes can also be used such as a “T” or “Y” or “sand-hour” or “dog-bone” shape. In particular the deposition area may which show a tapering along its width towards the middle or “crotch” region of the core. In this way, the absorbent material deposition area may have a relatively narrow width in an area of the core intended to be placed in the crotch region of the absorbent article. This may provide for example better wearing comfort. The absorbent material deposition area 8 may thus have a width (as measured in the transversal direction) at its narrowest point which is less than about 100 mm, 90 mm, 80 mm, 70 mm, 60 mm or even less than about 50 mm. This narrowest width may further be for example at least 5 mm, or at least 10 mm, smaller than the width of the deposition area at its largest point in the front and/or back regions of the deposition area 8.

The basis weight (amount deposited per unit of surface) of the SAP may also be varied along the deposition area 8 to create a profiled distribution of absorbent material, in particular SAP, in the longitudinal direction, in the transversal direction, or both directions of the core. Hence along the longitudinal axis of the core, the basis weight of absorbent material may vary, as well as along the transversal axis, or any axis parallel to any of these axes. The basis weight of SAP in area of relatively high basis weight may thus be for example at least 10%, or 20%, or 30%, or 40%, or 50% higher than in an area of relatively low basis weight. In particular the SAP present in the absorbent material deposition area at the longitudinal position of the crotch point C may have more SAP per unit of surface deposited as compared to another area of the absorbent material deposition area 8.

The absorbent material may be deposited using known techniques, which may allow relatively precise deposition of SAP at relatively high speed. In particular the SAP printing technology as disclosed for example in US2006/24433 (Blessing), US2008/0312617 and US2010/0051166A1 (both to Hundorf et al.) may be used. This technique uses a printing roll to deposit SAP onto a substrate disposed on a grid of a support which may include a plurality of cross bars extending substantially parallel to and spaced from one another so as to form channels extending between the plurality of cross-bars. This technology allows high-speed and precise deposition of SAP on a substrate in particular to provide one or more area(s) 26 substantially free of absorbent material surrounded by absorbent material. The areas substantially free of absorbent material can be formed for example by modifying the pattern of the grid and receiving drums so that no SAP is applied in the selected areas, as exemplary disclosed in US2012/0312491 (Jackels).

Core Wrap 16, 16′

The core wrap may be made of a single substrate folded around the absorbent material, or may advantageously comprise two (or more) substrates which are attached to another. Typical attachments are the so-called C-wrap and/or sandwich wrap. In a C-wrap, as exemplarily shown in FIG. 5, the longitudinal and/or transversal edges of one of the substrate are folded over the other substrate to form flaps. These flaps are then bonded to the external surface of the other substrate, typically by gluing.

The core wrap may be formed by any materials suitable for receiving and containing the absorbent material. Typical substrate materials used in the production of conventional cores may be used, in particular paper, tissues, films, wovens or nonwovens, or laminate of any of these. The core wrap may in particular be formed by a nonwoven web, such as a carded nonwoven, spunbond nonwoven (“S”) or meltblown nonwoven (“M”), and laminates of any of these. For example spunmelt polypropylene nonwovens are suitable, in particular those having a laminate web SMS, or SMMS, or SSMMS, structure, and having a basis weight range of about 5 gsm to 15 gsm. Suitable materials are for example disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,744,576, US2011/0268932A1, US2011/0319848A1 or US2011/0250413A1. Nonwoven materials provided from synthetic fibers may be used, such as PE, PET and in particular PP.

If the core wrap comprises a first substrate 16 and a second substrate 16′ these may be made of the same type of material, or may be made of different materials or one of the substrate may be treated differently than the other to provide it with different properties. As the polymers used for nonwoven production are inherently hydrophobic, they are preferably coated with hydrophilic coatings if placed on the fluid receiving side of the absorbent core. It is advantageous that the top side of the core wrap, i.e. the side placed closer to the wearer in the absorbent article, be more hydrophilic than the bottom side of the core wrap. A possible way to produce nonwovens with durably hydrophilic coatings is via applying a hydrophilic monomer and a radical polymerization initiator onto the nonwoven, and conducting a polymerization activated via UV light resulting in monomer chemically bound to the surface of the nonwoven. An alternative possible way to produce nonwovens with durably hydrophilic coatings is to coat the nonwoven with hydrophilic nanoparticles, e.g. as described in WO 02/064877.

Permanently hydrophilic nonwovens are also useful in some embodiments. Surface tension can be used to measure how permanently a certain hydrophilicity level is achieved. Liquid strike through can be used to measure the hydrophilicity level. The first and/or second substrate may in particular have a surface tension of at least 55, preferably at least 60 and most preferably at least 65 mN/m or higher when being wetted with saline solution. The substrate may also have a liquid strike through time of less than 5 seconds for a fifth gush of liquid. These values can be measured using the test methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,744,576B2 (Busam et al.): “Determination Of Surface Tension” and “Determination of Strike Through” respectively.

Hydrophilicity and wettability are typically defined in terms of contact angle and the strike through time of the fluids, for example through a nonwoven fabric. This is discussed in detail in the American Chemical Society publication entitled “Contact angle, wettability and adhesion”, edited by Robert F. Gould (Copyright 1964). A substrate having a lower contact angle between the water and the surface of substrate may be said to be more hydrophilic than another.

The substrates may also be air-permeable. Films useful herein may therefore comprise micro-pores. The substrate may have for example an air-permeability of from 40 or from 50, to 300 or to 200 m³/(m²×min), as determined by EDANA method 140-1-99 (125 Pa, 38.3 cm²). The material of the core wrap may alternatively have a lower air-permeability, e.g. being non-air-permeable, for example to facilitate handling on a moving surface comprising vacuum.

If the core wrap is formed by two substrates 16, 16′, four seals may be typically be used to enclose the absorbent material 60 within the core wrap. For example, a first substrate 16 may be placed on one side of the core (the top side as represented in the Figures) and extends around the core's longitudinal edges to at least partially wrap the opposed bottom side of the core. The second substrate 16′ is typically present between the wrapped flaps of the first substrate 16 and the absorbent material 60. The flaps of the first substrate 16 may be glued to the second substrate 16′ to provide a strong seal. This so called C-wrap construction can provide benefits such as improved resistance to bursting in a wet loaded state compared to a sandwich seal. The front side and back side of the core wrap may then also be sealed for example by gluing the first substrate and second substrate to another to provide complete encapsulation of the absorbent material across the whole of the periphery of the core. For the front side and back side of the core the first and second substrate may extend and be joined together in a substantially planar direction, forming for these edges a so-called sandwich construction. In the so-called sandwich construction, the first and second substrates may also extend outwardly on all sides of the core and be sealed flat along the whole or parts of the periphery of the core typically by gluing and/or heat/pressure bonding. Typically neither first nor second substrates need to be shaped, so that they can be rectangularly cut for ease of production but of course other shapes are possible.

The term “seal” is to be understood in a broad sense. The seal does not need to be continuous along the whole periphery of the core wrap but may be discontinuous along part or the whole of it, such as formed by a series of seal points spaced on a line. Typically a seal may be formed by gluing and/or thermal bonding. The core wrap may also be formed by a single substrate which may enclose as in a parcel wrap the absorbent material and be for example sealed along the front side and back side of the core and one longitudinal seal.

Area(s) 26 Substantially Free of Absorbent Material and Channels 26′

The absorbent core comprises one or more area(s) 26 which is/are substantially free of absorbent material. By “substantially free” it is meant that in these area the basis weight of the absorbent material is at least less than 25%, in particular less than 20% or 10%, of the average basis weight of the absorbent material in the rest of the core. In particular there can be no absorbent material in these areas. Minimal amount such as involuntary contaminations with absorbent material that may occur during the making process are not considered as absorbent material. The areas 26 are advantageously surrounded by the absorbent material, when seen in the plane of the core, which means that the area(s) 26 do(es) not extend to any of the edge of the deposition area of the absorbent material.

The top side 16 of the core wrap is attached to the bottom side 16′ of the core wrap by core wrap bond(s) 27 through these area(s) 26 substantially free of absorbent material. As shown in FIG. 3, when the absorbent material swells, the core wrap bond remains at least initially attached in the substantially material free area(s) 26. The absorbent material swells in the rest of the core when it absorbs a liquid, so that the core wrap forms one or more channel(s) 26′ along the area(s) 26 substantially free of absorbent material comprising the core wrap bond 27. These channels 26′ are three dimensional and can serve to distribute an insulting fluid along their length to a wider area of the core. This may provide a quicker fluid acquisition speed and a better utilization of the absorbent capacity of the core. As will be explained further below, these channels 26′ can also provides a deformation of the fibrous layer 54 and provide ditches 29 in the fibrous layer 54. It is not excluded that the absorbent core may comprise other area(s) substantially free of absorbent material but without a core wrap bond, but these non-bonded areas will typically not form a channel when wet.

The top side and the bottom side of the core wrap may be attached together continuously along the area(s) 26 substantially free of absorbent material, but the core wrap bond 27 may also be discontinuous (intermittent) such as series of point bonds. Typically, an adhesive can be used to attach the top side to the bottom of the core wrap, but it is possible to bond via other known attachment means, such as pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding or heat bonding or combination thereof. The attachment of the top side and bottom side of the core wrap may be provided by one or more adhesive material, in particular one or more layers of auxiliary glue and/or one or more layers of fibrous adhesive material, if present in the core, as indicated above. These glues may therefore serve the dual function of immobilizing the absorbent material and attach the top side and the bottom side of the core together.

The following examples of the shape and size of the areas 26 substantially free of absorbent material are not limiting. In general, the core wrap bond 27 may have the same outline but be slightly smaller than the areas 26 due to the tolerance required in some manufacturing process. The substantially material free area(s) 26 may be present within the crotch region of the article, in particular at least at the same longitudinal level as the crotch point C, as represented in FIG. 4 by the two longitudinally extending areas substantially free of absorbent material 26. The absorbent core 28 may also comprise more than two substantially absorbent material free area(s), for example at least 3, or at least 4 or at least 5 or at least 6. The absorbent core may comprise one or more pairs of areas substantially free of absorbent material symmetrically arranged relative to the longitudinal axis 80′. Shorter area(s) substantially free of absorbent material may also be present, for example in the back region or the front region of the core, as seen for example in the Figures of WO2012/170778.

The area(s) substantially free of absorbent material may extend substantially longitudinally, which means typically that each area extends more in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction, and typically at least twice as much in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction (as measured after projection on the respective axis). The area(s) 26 substantially free of absorbent material may have a length L′ projected on the longitudinal axis 80′ of the core that is at least 10% of the length L of the absorbent article. It may be advantageous that at least some or all of the area(s) 26 are not completely or substantially completely transversely oriented channels in the core.

The area(s) substantially free of absorbent material may be completely oriented longitudinally and parallel to the longitudinal axis but also may be curved. In particular some or all these area(s), in particular these area(s) present in the crotch region, may be concave towards the longitudinal axis 80′, as for example represented in FIG. 4 for the pair of channels 26′. The radius of curvature may typically be at least equal (and preferably at least 1.5 or at least 2.0 times this average transverse dimension) to the average transverse dimension of the absorbent material deposition area 8; and also straight but under an angle of (e.g. from 5°) up to 30°, or for example up to 20°, or up to 10° with a line parallel to the longitudinal axis. The radius of curvature may be constant for a substantially absorbent material free area(s), or may vary along its length. This may also includes area(s) substantially free of absorbent material with an angle therein, provided said angle between two parts of a channel is at least 120°, preferably at least 150°; and in any of these cases, provided the longitudinal extension of the area is more than the transverse extension. These area(s) may also be branched, for example a central substantially material free area superposed with the longitudinal axis in the crotch region which branches towards the back and/or towards the front of the article.

In some embodiments, there is no area(s) substantially free of absorbent material that coincides with the longitudinal axis 80′ of the core. When present as one ore symmetrical pair(s) relative to the longitudinal axis, the area(s) substantially free of absorbent material may be spaced apart from one another over their whole longitudinal dimension. The smallest spacing distance may be for example at least 5 mm, or at least 10 mm, or at least 16 mm.

Furthermore, in order to reduce the risk of fluid leakages, the area(s) substantially free of absorbent material advantageously do not extend up to any of the edges of the absorbent material deposition area 8, and are therefore surrounded by and fully encompassed within the absorbent material deposition area 8 of the core. Typically, the smallest distance between an area(s) substantially free of absorbent material and the closest edge of the absorbent material deposition area is at least 5 mm.

The area(s) substantially free of absorbent material may have a width Wc along at least part of its length which is at least 2 mm, or at least 3 mm or at least 4 mm, up to for example 20 mm, or 16 mm or 12 mm. The width Wc of the area(s) substantially free of absorbent material may be constant through substantially its whole length or may vary along its length.

The channels 26′ in the absorbent core may start forming when the absorbent material absorbs a liquid and starts swelling. As the core absorbs more liquid, the depressions within the absorbent core formed by channels will become deeper and more apparent to the eye and the touch. It is possible to create a sufficiently strong core wrap bond combined with a relatively low amount of SAP so that the channels remain permanent until complete saturation of the absorbent material. On the other hand, the core wrap bonds may in some cases also restrict the swelling of the absorbent material when the core is substantially loaded. The inventors have thus found that the core wrap bond 27 may also be designed to open in a controlled manner when exposed to a large amount of fluid. The bonds should remain substantially intact at least during a first phase as the absorbent material absorbs a moderate quantity of fluid. In a second phase the core wrap bonds 27 in the channels can start opening to provide more space for the absorbent material to swell while keeping most of the benefits of the channels such as increased flexibility of the core in transversal direction and fluid management. In a third phase, corresponding to a very high saturation of the absorbent core, a more substantial part of the channel bonds can open to provide even more space for the swelling absorbent material to expand. The strength of core wrap bond 27 within the channels can be controlled for example by varying the amount and nature of the glue used for the attaching the two sides of the core wrap, the pressure used to make the core wrap bond and/or the distribution of the absorbent material, as more absorbent material will usually causes more swelling and will put more pressure on the bond. The extensibility of the material of the core wrap may also play a role.

The resistance to delamination of the core wrap bond in the channels can be quantified using the Channel Delamination Dunk Test described further below, which in short involves plunging the absorbent core in an excess of saline solution at 0.9% by weight at 37° C. and recording the amount of channels that delaminate. Although not limiting the scope of first aspect of the invention, the behavior of core wrap bonds may be such that:

-   -   less than one third of the core wrap bond's initial length         delaminates at 10 min;     -   from one third to two thirds of the core wrap bond's initial         length delaminates at 20 min;     -   at least two thirds of the core wrap bond's initial length         delaminates at 60 min.         Fibrous Layer 54 and Ditches 29

The absorbent article comprises a fibrous layer 54. The fibrous layer may be between the topsheet 24 and the absorbent core 28, as represented in the Figures, but it may be also between the backsheet 25 and the absorbent core 28. The absorbent article may also comprise a fibrous layer according to the invention between the backsheet and the absorbent core and the topsheet and the absorbent core. The fibrous layer 54 is at least partially bonded to the top side or the bottom side of the core wrap in the area(s) substantially free of absorbent material. As will be discussed in more details below, the formation of the channel(s) in the absorbent core as the absorbent material swells thus causes the formation of one or more corresponding ditches in the fibrous layer.

The fibrous layer may be of any kind such as nonwoven, a woven material or even loose fibers. The fibrous layer may be in particular of the type known in the art for acquisition layers and/or distribution layers. The fibrous layer is at least partially bonded to the top side 16 of the core wrap in the area(s) 26 substantially free of absorbent material. The inventors have found that this bond allows the fibrous layer to follow the depression formed by the channels 26 as the absorbent core absorbs liquid and swells. In this way, the formation of the one or more channels 26 causes the formation of one or more corresponding ditches 29 in the fibrous layer. The ditches 29 formed in the fibrous layer provide improved liquid handling properties, in particular these ditches serve to distribute an insulting fluid along the length of the ditch. The ditch(es) 29 may have in general the same outline as the corresponding channel(s) 26′. The depth of the ditch(es) will typically depend on the nature of the fibers, the thickness, the basis weight of the fibrous layer and of course the amount of fluid absorbed by the absorbent core. A lighter and more pliable fibrous layer may for example provide deeper ditches. The depth of the ditches can be generally proportional to the depth of the channels, so that this will vary as the absorbent core swells.

Typically, the fibrous layer 54 does not comprise SAP as this may slow the acquisition and distribution of the fluid. The prior art discloses many type of fibrous layers, which may be used as acquisition layer and/or distribution layer, see for example WO2000/59430 (Daley), WO95/10996 (Richards), U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,254 (McDowall), WO02/067809 (Graef).

The fibrous layer may serve as a distribution layer that can spread an insulting fluid liquid over a larger surface within the article so that the absorbent capacity of the core can be more efficiently used. Typically distribution layers are made of a nonwoven material based on synthetic or cellulosic fibers and having a relatively low density. The density of the distribution layer may vary depending on the compression of the article, but may typically range from 0.03 to 0.25 g/cm³, in particular from 0.05 to 0.15 g/cm³ measured at 0.30 psi (2.07 kPa). The distribution layer may also be a material having a water retention value of from 25 to 60, preferably from 30 to 45, measured as indicated in the procedure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,537. The distribution layer may typically have an average basis weight of from 30 to 400 g/m², in particular from 100 to 300 g/m².

The distribution layer may for example comprise at least 50% by weight of cross-linked cellulose fibers. The cross-linked cellulosic fibers may be crimped, twisted, or curled, or a combination thereof including crimped, twisted, and curled. This type of material has been used in the past in disposable diapers as part of an acquisition system, for example US 2008/0312622 A1 (Hundorf). The cross-linked cellulosic fibers provide higher resilience and therefore higher resistance to the first absorbent layer against the compression in the product packaging or in use conditions, e.g. under a baby's weight. This provides the core with a higher void volume, permeability and liquid absorption, and hence reduced leakage and improved dryness.

Exemplary chemically cross-linked cellulosic fibers suitable for a distribution layer are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,791, U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,537, WO9534329 or US2007/118087. Exemplary cross-linking agents include polycarboxylic acids such as citric acid and/or polyacrylic acids such as acrylic acid and maleic acid copolymers. For example, the crosslinked cellulosic fibers may have between about 0.5 mole % and about 10.0 mole % of a C2-C9 polycarboxylic acid cross-linking agent, calculated on a cellulose anhydroglucose molar basis, reacted with said fibers in an intrafiber ester crosslink bond form. The C2-C9 polycarboxylic acid cross-linking agent may be selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   aliphatic and alicyclic C2-C9 polycarboxylic acids having at         least three carboxyl groups per molecule; and     -   aliphatic and alicyclic C2-C9 polycarboxylic acids having two         carboxyl groups per molecule and having a carbon-carbon double         bond located alpha, beta to one or both of the carboxyl groups,         wherein one carboxyl group in said C2-C9 polycarboxylic acid         crosslinking agent is separated from a second carboxyl group by         either two or three carbon atoms. The fibers may have in         particular between about 1.5 mole % and about 6.0 mole %         crosslinking agent, calculated on a cellulose anhydroglucose         molar basis, reacted therewith in the form of intrafiber ester         crosslink bonds. The cross-linking agent may be selected from         the group consisting of citric acid, 1, 2, 3, 4 butane         tetracarboxylic acid, and 1, 2, 3 propane tricarboxylic acid, in         particular citric acid.

Polyacrylic acid cross-linking agents may also be selected from polyacrylic acid homopolymers, copolymers of acrylic acid, and mixtures thereof. The fibers may have between 1.0 weight % and 10.0 weight %, preferably between 3 weight % and 7 weight %, of these cross-linking agents, calculated on a dry fiber weight basis, reacted therewith in the form of intra-fiber crosslink bonds. The cross-linking agent may be a polyacrylic acid polymer having a molecular weight of from 500 to 40,000, preferably from 1,000 to 20,000. The polymeric polyacrylic acid cross-linking agent may be a copolymer of acrylic acid and maleic acid, in particular wherein the weight ratio of acrylic acid to maleic acid is from 10:1 to 1:1, preferably from 5:1 to 1.5:1. An effective amount of citric acid may be further mixed with said polymeric polyacrylic acid cross-linking agent.

The distribution layer comprising cross-linked cellulose fibers may comprise other fibers, but this layer may advantageously comprise at least 50%, or 60%, or 70%, or 80%, or 90% or even up to 100%, by weight of the layer, of cross-linked cellulose fibers (including the cross-linking agents). Examples of such mixed layer of cross-linked cellulose fibers may comprise about 70% by weight of chemically cross-linked cellulose fibers, about 10% by weight polyester (PET) fibers, and about 20% by weight untreated pulp fibers. In another example, the layer of cross-linked cellulose fibers may comprise about 70% by weight chemically cross-linked cellulose fibers, about 20% by weight lyocell fibers, and about 10% by weight PET fibers. In another example, the layer may comprise about 68% by weight chemically cross-linked cellulose fibers, about 16% by weight untreated pulp fibers, and about 16% by weight PET fibers. In another example, the layer of cross-linked cellulose fibers may comprise from about 90-100% by weight chemically cross-linked cellulose fibers.

The fibrous layer may also serve as an acquisition layer, whose function can be to quickly acquire the fluid away from the topsheet so as to provide a good dryness for the wearer. Such an acquisition layer is typically placed directly under the topsheet. The absorbent article may also comprise a distribution layer 52 in addition to the fibrous layer 54, as exemplary shown in FIGS. 12-13. If present, the acquisition layer 52 may be at least partially disposed above the fibrous layer 54.

The acquisition layer may typically be or comprise a non-woven material, for example a SMS or SMMS material, comprising a spunbonded, a melt-blown and a further spunbonded layer or alternatively a carded chemical-bonded nonwoven. The non-woven material may in particular be latex bonded. Exemplary upper acquisition layers 52 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,786,341. Carded, resin-bonded nonwovens may be used, in particular where the fibers used are solid round or round and hollow PET staple fibers (50/50 or 40/60 mix of 6 denier and 9 denier fibers). An exemplary binder is a butadiene/styrene latex. Non-wovens have the advantage that they can be manufactured outside the converting line and stored and used as a roll of material.

Further useful non-wovens are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,569, U.S. Pat. No. 6,863,933 (both to Cramer), U.S. Pat. No. 7,112,621 (Rohrbaugh), and co patent applications US2003/148684 to Cramer et al. and US2005/008839 (both to Cramer).

Such an acquisition layer 52 may be stabilized by a latex binder, for example a styrene-butadiene latex binder (SB latex). Processes for obtaining such lattices are known, for example, from EP 149 880 (Kwok) and US 2003/0105190 (Diehl et al.). In certain embodiments, the binder may be present in the acquisition layer 52 in excess of about 12%, about 14% or about 16% by weight. SB latex is available under the trade name GENFLO™ 3160 (OMNOVA Solutions Inc.; Akron, Ohio).

A further acquisition layer may be used in addition to a first acquisition layer described above. For example a tissue layer may be placed between the first acquisition layer and the distribution layer. The tissue may have enhanced capillarity distribution properties compared to the acquisition layer described above. The tissue and the first acquisition layer may be of the same size or may be of different size, for example the tissue layer may extend further in the back of the absorbent article than the first acquisition layer. An example of hydrophilic tissue is a 13-22.5 gsm high wet strength made of cellulose fibers from supplier Havix.

Bonding of the Fibrous Layer 54 to the Top Side 16 of the Core Wrap

The fibrous layer 54 may be bonded to the top side of the core wrap by any conventional bonding means, in particular adhesive bonding, but other bonding means such as calendaring, pressure or fusion bonding, are also possible. The adhesive may be applied to the outer surface of the top side of core wrap or to the bottom side of the fibrous layer, or both surface, depending on the ease of application of the surface, before the two layers are combined. The adhesive may be applied to an area at least equal to the whole of the bottom side of the fibrous layer. The adhesive may also be applied to a smaller area than the bottom side of the fibrous layer.

An adhesive may be applied for example by slot coating in the direction of making of the article (“machine direction” or “MD”), typically parallel to the longitudinal direction of the article, but may be also applied using different techniques such as adhesive spraying or adhesive printing. It may be beneficial for cost reasons not to apply the adhesive as a continuous layer in the area of application, but discontinuously such as using continuous or intermittent stripes or slots separated by a gap, so that the actual area of coverage of the adhesive is a fraction of the area of application, typically from about 10 to about 50%.

FIGS. 7-11 illustrate different adhesive application possibilities between the core wrap and the fibrous layer. In these Figures, only the area of application of the adhesive 66 has been shown, but of course other adhesive such as an adhesive 68 between the topsheet and the fibrous layer may be present, as exemplarily shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

As exemplary shown in FIG. 7, the area of application 66 of an adhesive between the fibrous layer and the core wrap may cover substantially the whole area of the fibrous layer 54. Typically due to the constraint of high speed making, a margin of a few mm (e.g. about 5 mm) along the longitudinal sides of the fibrous layer may be left without adhesive (as shown in FIG. 8). As indicated above, the area of coverage of the adhesive may generally represent less than 100% of the area of application. For example the adhesive may be applied in a slot coating process made of a series of parallel continuous slots separated by a gap. The adhesive slots may have the same width or different widths and may be regularly spaced or not. The adhesive slots may for example have a width ranging from 0.5 mm to 3 mm and the gap between the slots ranging from about 1 mm to 5 mm. In one example the adhesive slots bonding the core wrap to the fibrous layer are 1 mm large and the gaps 2 mm.

The topsheet 24 may also be attached directly or indirectly to the fibrous layer 54 in area(s) corresponding to the area(s) 26 substantially free of absorbent material where the channel(s) 26′ form, for example by an adhesive or by any other means, such as fusion bonding, calendaring or pressure bonding or any combination thereof. The topsheet may in this way more easily follow the shape of the channels 26′ and ditches 29 as they are formed when the absorbent material swells, and form secondary ditches 29′ at the surface of the article. The topsheet 24 may be directly attached to the fibrous layer, or indirectly if an additional layer such as a distribution layer 52 is present between the topsheet and the absorbent core, as further discussed and illustrated in FIG. 14. The attachment area 68 of the topsheet to the fibrous layer 54 or another underlying layer 52 may extend along the whole length of the fibrous layer. This may be accomplished for example by applying an adhesive along the whole length of the topsheet as represented in FIG. 12. In this way, the topsheet may be attached to the fibrous layer and in addition to the rest of the chassis of the absorbent article, such as the absorbent core and the backsheet. The attachment area 68 may be formed by an adhesive exemplarily applied by slot coating. The slots may typically extend in the longitudinal direction (MD) for ease of manufacture, but it is not excluded that they may be also applied in the transversal direction. The width of the attachment area 68 may be at least sufficient to cover or overlap (when viewed from the top) the areas 26 substantially free of absorbent material. The amount of coverage, widths and gap sizes as indicated above for the adhesive attaching the fibrous layer to the core wrap may also be used for the adhesive slots bonding the topsheet to the underlying layer (e.g. fibrous layer 54 or distribution layer 52 if present).

FIG. 8 shows an alternative bonding area between the core wrap and the fibrous layer wherein the fibrous layer is bonded to the core wrap in two longitudinally extending areas 66, 66′ separated by a non bonded zone in the central region of the fibrous layer. The material free areas 26 of the core wrap are within the adhesive application areas 66, 66′. Similarly, as exemplarily shown on FIG. 13, the topsheet may be attached directly or indirectly to the fibrous layer in two attachment areas 68, 68′ covering the absorbent material free areas 26 and separated by a non attached zone.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative wherein the fibrous layer is only bonded to the top side of the core wrap in the substantially material free area(s) 26 of the core. This may be provided by an adhesive using slot coating but other techniques are considered possible, for example adhesive printing which may be more adapted if the shape of the substantially material free area(s) 26 is curved. U.S. Pat. No. 8,186,296 discloses one example of adhesive printing technology. As indicated above and in general, the area of coverage of the adhesive may be a fraction of the area of application, e.g. from 10% to 50%, but as in FIG. 9 if the area of application of the adhesive is relatively limited a higher amount of coverage of up to 100% within the application area may be used.

FIG. 10 shows an alternative area of bonding wherein a smaller area 66 of the fibrous layer is bonded to the core wrap. In particular a portion of the substantially material free area(s) 26 may be not bonded to the fibrous layer. However it may be advantageous that at least 50% of the area 26 may be within the area of application of the bonding means, in particular the adhesive.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative bonding area pattern 66 between the core wrap and the fibrous layer. In this example, the adhesive (or any other bonding means) may be applied in several bonding areas 66 separated in the longitudinal direction by a series of adhesive free areas. Part of the substantially material free area(s) 26 may be outside the adhesive application area 66, however it may be advantageous that at least 50% of the area 26 may be within the application area 66.

Typically, and as represented in the Figures, the top side of the absorbent core has a larger area than the fibrous layer. However it is not excluded that the fibrous layer may have a larger area than the core wrap, in this case the bonding area may be as large or smaller than the area of the top side of the core wrap.

Additional Layer 52

The absorbent article may comprise further layer(s) between the fibrous layer 54 and the topsheet 24, for example an acquisition layer 52, and/or between the fibrous layer and the core wrap. FIG. 14 shows a simplified cross-section of an absorbent article further comprising an additional layer 52 between the topsheet 24 and the fibrous layer 54. In FIG. 14, the adhesive layers are represented as comprising two application areas, but other application patterns are possible. The adhesive application area may be formed by slot coating or any other adhesive application means, and may have a coverage area which is only a fraction of the application areas. The additional layer 52, which may be a distribution layer, can also be adhesively bonded to the topsheet and the fibrous layer in an area corresponding to the area(s) 26 substantially free of absorbent material. The absorbent article comprise an adhesive 66 between the absorbent core 28 and the fibrous layer 54. The adhesive 66 attaches the outer surface of the top side of the core wrap to the bottom side of the fibrous layer in the areas 26 substantially free of absorbent material. An adhesive 67 may attach the fibrous layer 54 to the additional layer 52 and similarly an adhesive 68 may attach the additional layer 52 to the topsheet 24.

It may be beneficial to ensure that all the layers between the top side of the core wrap and the topsheet are at least partially bonded in the substantially material free area(s) 26 of the core. The advantages of this construction are illustrated in FIG. 15, which represent the article of FIG. 14 in a wet condition. There, the absorbent material has absorbed liquid and swollen to a moderate amount so that the bond wrap 27 is still present. The channels 26′ formed by the core wrap and the swollen absorbent material cause formation of corresponding ditches 29 in the fibrous layer 54, as well to the other layers which have been indirectly bonded to the core wrap, in this case the additional layer 52 (e.g. an acquisition layer) and the topsheet 24. The topsheet may thus be bonded (by an adhesive 68 or other bonding means) to the immediately underlying layer, which may be a distribution layer 52, and the underlying layer to the fibrous layer 54 by an adhesive 67 or any other bonding means. The adhesives that may be used between the different layers may be any conventional adhesives, for example applied a hotmelt adhesive applied by slot coating, as a bead, or other application possibilities such as adhesive printing (e.g. as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,186,296).

Depending on the amount of absorbent material comprised in the absorbent core, the absorbent core may swell up to a certain amount and then reach saturation in a condition similar to the one shown in FIG. 15 where the core wrap bond 27 and the channels 26′ remain present. The absorbent core may also comprise more absorbent material so that they swell to a larger amount, which may cause the core wrap bond 27 to at least open in part of the channel(s). This is represented in FIG. 16, where the core wrap bond 27 has opened. Following the opening of the core wrap bond 27, the channels 26′ and ditches 29 may in the open area become less visible or completely disappear.

Fastening System 42, 44

The absorbent article may include a fastening system. The fastening system can be used to provide lateral tensions about the circumference of the absorbent article to hold the absorbent article on the wearer as is typical for taped diapers. This fastening system is not necessary for training pant article since the waist region of these articles is already bonded. The fastening system usually comprises a fastener such as tape tabs, hook and loop fastening components, interlocking fasteners such as tabs & slots, buckles, buttons, snaps, and/or hermaphroditic fastening components, although any other known fastening means are generally acceptable. A landing zone is normally provided on the front waist region for the fastener to be releasably attached. Some exemplary surface fastening systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,594, U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,875, U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,815, U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,060, U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,527, U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274 issued to Buell. An exemplary interlocking fastening system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,432,098. The fastening system may also provide a means for holding the article in a disposal configuration as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,140 issued to Robertson et al.

The fastening system may also include primary and secondary fastening systems, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,622 to reduce shifting of overlapped portions or to improve fit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,436, U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,978, U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,736, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,152.

Barrier Leg Cuffs 34

The absorbent article may comprise a pair of barrier leg cuffs 34 and/or gasketing cuffs 32. U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 describes a disposable diaper which provides a contractible leg opening having a side flap and one or more elastic members to provide an elasticized leg cuff (a gasketing cuff). U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,178 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,803 issued to Aziz et al. describe disposable diapers having “stand-up” elasticized flaps (barrier leg cuffs) which improve the containment of the leg regions. U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,278 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,454 issued to Lawson and to Dragoo respectively, describe disposable diapers having dual cuffs, including gasketing cuffs and barrier leg cuffs. All or a portion of the barrier leg and/or gasketing cuffs may be treated with a lotion.

The barrier leg cuffs 32 can be formed from a piece of material, typically a nonwoven, which is partially bonded to the rest of the article so that a portion of the material, the barrier leg cuffs, can be partially raised away and stand up from the plane defined by the topsheet when the article is pulled flat as shown e.g. in FIG. 1. The barrier leg cuffs can provide improved containment of liquids and other body exudates approximately at the junction of the torso and legs of the wearer. The barrier leg cuffs extend at least partially between the front edge and the back edge of the diaper on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and are at least present at the longitudinal position of the crotch point (C). The barrier leg cuffs are delimited by a proximal edge 64 joined to the rest of the article, typically the topsheet and/or the backsheet, and a free terminal edge 66, which is intended to contact and form a seal with the wearer's skin. The barrier leg cuffs are joined at the proximal edge 64 with the chassis of the article by a bond 65 which may be made for example by gluing, fusion bonding or combination of known bonding means. The bond 65 at the proximal edge 64 may be continuous or intermittent. The side of the bond 65 closest to the raised section of the barrier leg cuffs 32 delimits the proximal edge 64 of the standing up section of the leg cuffs.

The barrier leg cuffs 32 can be integral with the topsheet or the backsheet, or more typically be formed from a separate material joined to the rest of the article. Typically the material of the barrier leg cuffs may extend through the whole length of the diapers but is “tack bonded” to the topsheet towards the front edge and back edge of the article so that in these sections the barrier leg cuff material remains flush with the topsheet. Each barrier leg cuff 34 may comprise one, two or more elastic strings 35 close to this free terminal edge 66 to provide a better seal.

In addition to the barrier leg cuffs 34, the article may comprise gasketing cuffs 32 joined to the chassis of absorbent article, in particular the topsheet and/or the backsheet and may be placed externally relative to the barrier leg cuffs. The gasketing cuffs can provide a better seal around the thighs of the wearer. Usually each gasketing leg cuff will comprise one or more elastic string or elastic element comprised in the chassis of the diaper for example between the topsheet and backsheet in the area of the leg openings.

Front and Back Ears 46, 40

The absorbent article may comprise front ears 46 and back ears 40 as is known in the art. The ears can be integral part of the chassis, for example formed from the topsheet and/or backsheet as side panel. Alternatively, as represented on FIG. 1, they may be separate elements attached by gluing and/or heat embossing or pressure bonding. The back ears 40 are advantageously stretchable to facilitate the attachment of the tabs 42 on the landing zone 40 and maintain the taped diapers in place around the wearer's waist. The back ears 40 may also be elastic or extensible to provide a more comfortable and contouring fit by initially conformably fitting the absorbent article to the wearer and sustaining this fit throughout the time of wear well past when absorbent article has been loaded with exudates since the elasticized ears allow the sides of the absorbent article to expand and contract.

Elastic Waist Feature

The absorbent article may also comprise at least one elastic waist feature (not represented) that helps to provide improved fit and containment. The elastic waist feature is generally intended to elastically expand and contract to dynamically fit the wearer's waist. The elastic waist feature preferably extends at least longitudinally outwardly from at least one waist edge of the absorbent core 28 and generally forms at least a portion of the end edge of the absorbent article. Disposable diapers can be constructed so as to have two elastic waist features, one positioned in the front waist region and one positioned in the back waist region. The elastic waist feature may be constructed in a number of different configurations including those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,595, U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,189, U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274.

Relations Between the Layers

Typically, adjacent layers and components will be joined together using conventional bonding method such as adhesive coating via slot coating or spraying on the whole or part of the surface of the layer, or thermo-bonding, or pressure bonding or combinations thereof. This bonding is not represented in the Figures (except for the bonding between the raised element of the leg cuffs 65 with the topsheet 24) for clarity and readability but bonding between the layers of the article should be considered to be present unless specifically excluded. Adhesives may be typically used to improve the adhesion of the different layers, for example between the backsheet and the core wrap. The glue may be any standard hotmelt glue as known in the art.

If an additional/acquisition layer 52 is present, it may be advantageous that this acquisition layer is larger than or least as large as the fibrous/distribution layer 54 in the longitudinal and/or transversal dimension. Thus the distribution layer 54 can be deposited on the acquisition layer. This simplifies handling, in particular if the acquisition layer is a nonwoven which can be unrolled from a roll of stock material. The distribution layer may also be deposited directly on the absorbent core's upper side of the core wrap or another layer of the article. Also, an acquisition layer 52 larger than the distribution layer allows to directly glue the acquisition layer to the storage core (at the larger areas). This can give increased patch integrity and better liquid communication.

The absorbent core and in particular its absorbent material deposition area 8 may advantageously be at least as large and long and advantageously at least partially larger and/or longer than the fibrous layer. This is because the absorbent material in the core can usually more effectively retain fluid and provide dryness benefits across a larger area than the fibrous layer. The absorbent article may have a rectangular SAP layer and a non-rectangular (shaped) fibrous layer. The absorbent article may also have a rectangular (non-shaped) fibrous layer and a rectangular layer of SAP.

Method of Making the Article

The absorbent articles of the invention may be made by any conventional methods known in the art. In particular the articles may be hand-made or industrially produced at high speed.

Experimental Settings

The values indicated herein are measured according to the methods indicated herein below, unless specified otherwise. All measurements are performed at 21° C.±2° C. and 50%±20% RH, unless specified otherwise. Unless indicated otherwise, the description refers to the dry article. All samples should be kept at least 24 hours in these conditions to equilibrate before conducting the tests, unless indicated otherwise. All measurements should be reproduced on at least 4 samples and the average value obtained indicated, unless otherwise indicated.

Centrifuge Retention Capacity (CRC)

The CRC measures the liquid absorbed by the superabsorbent polymer particles for free swelling in excess liquid. The CRC is measured according to EDANA method WSP 241.2-05.

Dry Absorbent Core Caliper Test

This test may be used to measure the caliper of the absorbent core (before use i.e. without fluid loading) in a standardized manner.

Equipment: Mitutoyo manual caliper gauge with a resolution of 0.01 mm—or equivalent instrument.

Contact Foot: Flat circular foot with a diameter of 17.0 mm (±0.2 mm). A circular weight may be applied to the foot (e.g., a weight with a slot to facilitate application around the instrument shaft) to achieve the target weight. The total weight of foot and added weight (including shaft) is selected to provide 2.07 kPa (0.30 psi) of pressure to the sample.

The caliper gauge is mounted with the lower surface of the contact foot in an horizontal plane so that the lower surface of the contact foot contacts the center of the flat horizontal upper surface of a base plate approximately 20×25 cm. The gauge is set to read zero with the contact foot resting on the base plate.

Ruler: Calibrated metal ruler graduated in mm.

Stopwatch: Accuracy 1 second

Sample preparation: The core is conditioned at least 24 hours as indicated above.

Measurement procedure: The core is laid flat with the bottom side, i.e. the side intended to be placed towards the backsheet in the finished article facing down. The point of measurement (e.g. the crotch point C corresponding to this point in the finished article) is carefully drawn on the top side of the core taking care not to compress or deform the core.

The contact foot of the caliper gauge is raised and the core is placed flat on the base plate of the caliper gauge with the top side of the core up so that when lowered, the center of the foot is on the marked measuring point.

The foot is gently lowered onto the article and released (ensure calibration to “0” prior to the start of the measurement). The caliper value is read to the nearest 0.01 mm, 10 seconds after the foot is released.

The procedure is repeated for each measuring point. If there is a fold at the measuring point, the measurement is done in the closest area to this point but without any folds. Ten articles are measured in this manner for a given product and the average caliper is calculated and reported with an accuracy of one tenth mm.

Absorbent Article Caliper Test

The Absorbent Article Caliper Test can be performed as for the Dry Absorbent Core Caliper Test with the difference that the caliper of the finished absorbent article is measured instead of the caliper of the core. The point of measurement may be the intersection of the longitudinal axis (80) and transversal axis (90) of the absorbent article. If the absorbent articles were provided folded and/or in a package, the articles to be measured are unfolded and/or removed from the center area of the package. If the package contains more than 4 articles, the outer most two articles on each side of the package are not used in the testing. If the package contains more than 4 but fewer than 14 articles, then more than one package of articles is required to complete the testing. If the package contains 14 or more articles, then only one package of articles is required to perform the testing. If the package contains 4 or fewer articles then all articles in the package are measured and multiple packages are required to perform the measurement. Caliper readings should be taken 24±1 hours after the article is removed from the package, unfolded and conditioned. Physical manipulation of product should be minimal and restricted only to necessary sample preparation.

Any elastic components of the article that prevent the article from being laid flat under the caliper foot are cut or removed. These may include leg cuffs or waistbands. Pant-type articles are opened or cut along the side seams as necessary. Apply sufficient tension to flatten out any folds/wrinkles. Care is taken to avoid touching and/or compressing the area of measurement.

Channel Delamination Dunk Test

The Test is conducted on an absorbent core to determine the behavior of the core wrap bond when submitted to an excess of saline fluid as a function of time. The Test is preferably conducted on an isolated absorbent core before it is built in a finished article. The absorbent core may also be extracted from a finished absorbent article. In that case freeze-spray may be used to facilitate removal of the absorbent core if necessary. Care is taken to avoid damaging the core e.g. tearing the core wrapping layers. Any cuffs, fastening members, topsheet, backsheet, or absorbent layers above and/or below the absorbent core are disposed of.

The core wrap bond areas 27, which typically follow and approximate the area(s) substantially free of absorbent material, are marked on the body-facing surface of the core wrap with a permanent felt-tipped marker and the curvilinear length of the areas is measured. If the bonds are intermittent, the full length is marked spanning the gaps between the bonds. The absorbent core is placed in a suitable flat-bottomed container with the body-facing surface up. The container is large enough to allow the core to lie completely flat, and is about 6 cm deep. The container with the absorbent core is placed in an incubator or other suitable temperature-controlled chamber at 37±0.5° C. and allowed to reach thermal equilibrium. A 0.90 w. % solution of sodium chloride is prepared by dissolving the appropriate amount of pure sodium chloride in distilled water, and the solution is heated to 37° C. The heated solution is added rapidly to the container to a depth of about 4 cm and a timer is started upon addition of the fluid. Once the fluid is added, the container is immediately covered with cling film (e.g. Saran Wrap®) to prevent excessive evaporation from the container, and the system is maintained at 37±0.5° C.

The absorbent core is observed through the cling wrap without disturbing the system at 5 minute intervals, and the extent of delamination of any channels is recorded along with the elapsed time. The extent of delamination is the total length of any portion or portions of the channel or channels where the topside of the core wrap is no longer attached to the bottoms side of the core wrap in the channel area. The fractional delaminated length is the total delaminated channel length divided by the total initial channel length prior to fluid addition. The percent delaminated channel length is the fractional delaminated channel length times 100.

EXPERIMENTALS Absorbent Core Example 1

The absorbent core tested in this example was similar to the core illustrated in FIG. 4. The core contained SAP as absorbent material, without cellulosic fibers. The core wrap comprised two substrates forming the top and bottom sides of the core, the upper substrate forming a C-wrap along the longitudinal edges of the core and the front and back edges of the core being attached flat. The core comprised two curved areas free of absorbent material. These areas were symmetric in relation to the longitudinal axis 80′ and had a projected length thereon of about 227 mm, a width of about 8 mm and a shortest distance from each other of 20 mm. The core wrap was further attached to itself through substantially the whole length of the areas 26.

The absorbent core comprised in total 13.5 g SAP (ex Nippon Shokubai, CA L598) applied in an area of deposition having a length of 360 mm and a width of 110 mm (rectangular profile). The SAP was distributed so that its basis weight was higher in the crotch region than at the front region and still lower towards the back region. There was no profiling of the SAP in the transversal direction (“cross-machine direction” or “CD”, except of course in the area of the channels which were free of absorbent material). The absorbent core was formed by SAP printing technology, as disclosed in US2010/0051166A1, which combines two nonwoven substrates each supporting a SAP layer. The channels were formed by using a suitable printing drum delimiting the channels shape, further information on how to form channels can be found in EP application number EP12174117.7 using printed SAP technology.

Auxiliary glue (ex Fuller, HL 1358LO F ZP) was applied on the upper substrate 16 before applying the SAP layer, and was slot coated with 41 slots 1 mm wide with a distance of 1 mm between the slots along the whole length of the core wrap (390 mm) for a total amount of 0.128 g.

Each SAP layer had a microfiber elastic glue (Fuller 1151) applied on top of it to immobilize the SAP layer on the substrate. 0.211 g and 0.168 g of microfiber glue (from H. B. Fuller) were respectively applied on the upper and lower SAP layer, the area of application having a width of 110 mm and length of 390 mm on each SAP layer.

The core wrap had a length of 390 mm with two end flaps free of absorbent material having a length of 15 mm at the back and at the front edge of the absorbent core. The front and back end seals of the core were slot glued together, the glue slots having a length of 30 mm from the front end seal and 20 mm from the back end seal. The folded width of the core wrap was 120 mm.

The upper substrate 16 was a 10 gsm hydrophilically treated SMMS nonwoven and the lower substrate 16′ was a 10 gsm SMMS nonwoven. The upper substrate was cut at a length of 390 mm and a cut width of 165 mm. The lower substrate had a cut length of 390 mm and a cut width of 130 mm. The upper substrate was C-wrapped around the lower substrate on the lateral edges of the core and the lateral edges of the lower layer was slightly formed upwards on the edge of the absorbent material of the core so that the overall width of the folded core wrap was about 120 mm. The C-wrap was made permanent by application between the substrates of a core folding glue applied at 20 gsm applied as slot having a slot width of 4 mm and 390 mm long on each side of the core.

The two substrates were additionally attached together through the channels. The bond was formed by applying pressure and the auxiliary and microfiber glue.

Invention Example 2

The core tested in this example was similar to example 1 with the difference that the auxiliary glued used was NW1286 F ZP ex. H.B. Fuller.

Test Results

For each absorbent core described above, two specimens (X and Y) were tested according to the Channel Delamination Dunk Test to determine the percentage of the core wrap's bond that delaminates as a function of time (in 5 nm increments). The amount of opening was reported as follows:

A when less than one third of the core wrap bond's initial length delaminated;

B when from one third to two thirds of the core wrap bond's initial length delaminated;

C when at least two thirds of the core wrap bond's initial length delaminated.

Sample 1 2 Specimen Time (min) X1 Y1 X2 Y2 5 A A A A 10 A A A A 15 A A A B 20 A A B B 25 A B B C 30 B B C C 35 B B C C 40 B B C C 45 C C C C 50 C C C C 55 C C C C 60 C C C C

As can be seen, varying the nature of glue used provides core wrap bond which delaminate less or more quickly. In general, increasing the amount of glue and/or using a stronger glue will provide stronger core wrap bonds. Any of the absorbent core exemplified may be used in an absorbent core of the invention.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorbent article comprising: a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, an absorbent core between the topsheet and backsheet, the absorbent core comprising a core wrap enclosing an absorbent material, the absorbent material comprising a superabsorbent polymer, wherein the core wrap comprises a top side and a bottom side, wherein the absorbent core comprises one or more areas substantially free of absorbent material through which the top side of the core wrap is attached to the bottom side of the core wrap, so that when the absorbent material swells the core wrap forms one or more channels along the areas substantially free of absorbent material, and wherein the absorbent core is void of areas substantially free of absorbent material which are transversely oriented; and the absorbent article further comprising a fibrous layer, wherein the fibrous layer is at least partially bonded to the top side or the bottom side of the core wrap in the area substantially free of absorbent material such that the fibrous layer at least partially fills the area substantially free of absorbent material, so that the formation of the channel in the absorbent core as the absorbent material swells causes the formation of one or more corresponding ditches in the fibrous layer.
 2. An absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein the fibrous layer is between the topsheet and the absorbent core, and the fibrous layer is at least partially bonded to the top side of the core wrap in the area substantially free of absorbent material.
 3. An absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein the absorbent material comprises at least about 50% of superabsorbent polymer by weight of the absorbent material.
 4. An absorbent article according to claim 3 wherein the absorbent material comprises from about 80% to about 100% of superabsorbent polymer by weight of the absorbent material.
 5. An absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein the absorbent core comprises from about 10 g to about 50 g of superabsorbent polymer.
 6. An absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein the absorbent core comprises at least a pair of areas substantially free of absorbent material and wherein these areas are symmetrically disposed relative to the longitudinal axis.
 7. An absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the areas substantially free of absorbent material has a length projected on the longitudinal axis of the article which is at least about 10% of the length of the absorbent article.
 8. An absorbent article according claim 1, wherein at least one of the areas substantially free of absorbent material has a width in at least in some part of the area of at least about 2 mm.
 9. An absorbent article according claim 8, wherein the width is from about 4 mm to about 14 mm.
 10. An absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein the core wrap comprises a first nonwoven substantially forming the top side of the core wrap and a second nonwoven substantially forming the bottom side of the core wrap.
 11. An absorbent article according to claim 10 wherein the first nonwoven forms a C-wrap around the second nonwoven.
 12. An absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein the fibrous layer comprises at least about 50% by weight of cross-linked cellulose fibers.
 13. An absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein the topsheet is directly or indirectly attached to the fibrous layer in the area of the one or more ditches.
 14. An absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the periphery of the absorbent material within the core wrap defines an absorbent material deposition area, and wherein the absorbent material deposition area is rectangular or is shaped with a width narrower at the crotch point than the maximum width of the absorbent material deposition area in the rest of the core, wherein the crotch point is defined as the point placed at a distance of two fifth of L from the front edge of the absorbent article on the longitudinal axis.
 15. An absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein the absorbent core comprises a first absorbent layer and a second absorbent layer, the first absorbent layer comprising a first substrate and a first layer of superabsorbent polymers, the second absorbent layer comprising a second substrate and a second layer of superabsorbent polymers, and a fibrous thermoplastic adhesive material at least partially bonding each layers of superabsorbent polymers to their respective substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate forming the core wrap.
 16. An absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein the absorbent core has an absorbent material loss of no more than about 70% according to the Wet Immobilization Test described herein.
 17. An absorbent article according to claim 1 comprising an additional layer between the topsheet and the fibrous layer.
 18. An absorbent article according to claim 17 wherein the additional layer is an acquisition layer and the topsheet is attached to the additional layer in one or more attachment areas that at least partially overlap with the area substantially free of absorbent material of the core.
 19. An absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein the core wrap bond of the channels of the absorbent core opens in a controlled manner during use, so that when the absorbent core is immersed in a saline solution at 0.9% by weight at 37° C. according to the Channel Delamination Dunk Test described herein: less than about one third of the core wrap bond's initial length delaminates at 10 min; from about one third to about two thirds of the core wrap bond's initial length delaminates at 20 min; and at least about two thirds of the core wrap bond's initial length delaminates at 60 min.
 20. An absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein the core wrap bond of the channels of the absorbent core opens in a controlled manner during use, so that when the absorbent core is immersed in a saline solution at 0.9% by weight at 37° C. according to the Channel Delamination Dunk Test described herein: less than about one third of the core wrap bond's initial length delaminates at 10 min; and at least about two thirds of the core wrap bond's initial length delaminates at 60 min. 